Rotary toothbrush



R. C. FAUST ROTARY TOOTHBRUSH Filed Feb,

INVENTOR. ay Ol'ku ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 3, 1923 i' tease PATENT OFFICE.

ROY C. FAUST, OF DEAR/Y, IDAHO.

ROTARY TOOTI-IBRUSI-I.

Application filed February 1, 1921.

To alt whom t may concern.:

Be it known that l, RoY'C. FaUs'r. a citi'fzen oi the United States. residing at Deary, in the county of Latah, State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Toothbrushes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to tooth brushes, particularly to those of the rotary type, the primary object of the invention being to provide a brush ot simple and compact form' which may at all times be maintained ir sanitary condition, theseveral parts ofthe brush being readily separable so as to permit of ready cleaning thereof and to permit ot replacement of worn brushes, which has its various parts so assembled as to prevent accidental dismemberment of the brush, and which is at all times ready for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brush of the character stated which, in appearance, resembles a fountain pen, having attached thereto means whereby the brush may be readily carried in the pocket or suspended from a hook or other support, and which is jacketed so as to prevent dirt or dust gaining access to the brush per se.

A still 'further and particular object of the invention is to provide means of novel construction whereby the brush per se is attached to the rotating element and mounted properly within the casing.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement ot parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of the iinproved brush as it will appear when in condition to be carried in the pocket or suspended from a suitable support.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the brush.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional-view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Serial No. 441,647.

n vFigure 4L is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the brush stem is attached tothe rotating element.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the brush containing` shell.

Referring now to the drawing, 5 indicates the handle portion of the brush, the same being 'formed of tubular metal of suitable diameter closed at one. end and threaded internally as at 6 at its opposite end. This tubular portion receives a rotatable stem 8 the inner end of which extends centrally through and is rigidly` connected with a support in the :torm of a disk of a diameter substantially equal to theinner diameter oi the tubular handle. The opposite end oj this stem projects through the closed end of the tubular member 5, the said protruding end being enlargedl as atv 9 and knurled to enable the same to bev readily gripped and turned with thefingers. A flange 10 is formed upon the stem 8 at substantially the juncture oi the enlarged head 9 with the said stem, and this flange abuts against the inner face of the end wall of the' tubular member and prevents the stem moving outwardly of the tubular portion.

The brush compartment comprises a shell indicated at l1, one end of which. 12, is tubular and threaded to screw into the open end of the tubular member 5. A portion oit the length of this shell is semi-cylindrical as shown in Figure 3, and is adapted to receive and rotatably hold the brush indicated at 13.

The brush, in the present instance, includes a core or stem indicated at 14 formed oi' twisted wire, the bristles being secured in the said twist as shown, and the outer end of this stem is mounted and smoothed oiil at 15 to t and rotate within the opening` or depression 16 in the outer end of shell 1l. It will be observed that this opening or depression 16 is in longitudinal alinement with the rotatable member 8. The inner end ot the core or stem 14 projects into the hollow inner end of rotatable member 8. and the twists of the wire constituting the stem 14 are spread at 1S to constitute a key to it within the bifurcated end 17 of the rotatable member 8. It will be observed that the key 18 is so positioned upon stem 14 as to snugly seat within the biturcated end 17 of Stem 8 only when the bearing 15,

is properly disposed in bearing opening 16 at the outer end oi the brush compartment or shell 11.

A cap 19 of hollow tubular construction open at one end is adapted to be engaged over the brush and the adjacent end of the casing 5, in somewhat the same manner as a cap is engaged over a fountain pen, and it is obvious that the cap Will prevent dirt or dust gaining access to the brush. It may be desirable to have a. fumigant intimately associated with the brush. and in such instance a sponge of small size or a small bit ot blotting paper, containing a proper or desirable funiigant. maybe deposited in the bottom of the cap 19.

A clip 2O of Well known construction may be attached to the outside of the tubular section 11 of the brush, to enable the brush to be secured in the pocket of its owner7 or to enable the brush to be suspended from a proper support.

In use. 'the cap 19 is removed, and the handle of the brush is supported by one end and in such position that the bristles .ot the brush 18 will be engaged with the teeth. The thumb and fore finger of the other hand are used to grasp and turn the head 9 of stein S, whereupon brush 13 Will be caused to rotate. In operating the brush the stem S Will be rotated in such direction as to cause the bristles of the brush to move in a direction away from the root portions of the teeth toward the outer or cutting edges thereof. After use, the brush may be Washed and the cap l) replaced. To thoroughly cleanse the brush. the shell 1.1 will be unscrewed from the handle portion Whereupon the stein 14 may be readily Withdrawn from the inner end ot the stem S. Alfter cleaning the brush, it is replaced and the parts asseinl'iled in the manner shown and described, and application oit cap 19 over the brush will cause the latter to be permanently sealed. The presence of a fumigant within the cap 19 Will serve to maintain the brush 'with all ot its various parts' in proper and sanitary condition.

llVhat is claimed is: I

ln a rotary brush. a handle element comprising a tube closed at one end and intern. ly threaded at its opposite end, a shell. of substantially semi-cylindrical shape throxvrnhout a portion of its length. an annular portion at the inner end of said shell having external threads to engage the threads of said handle` a rotatable member disposed centrally and longitudinally Within said `handle and protruding' at one end beyfond the closed end of said handle, and a brush stem .rotatably mounted in the outer end ot said shell and detachably connected at its inner end to said rotatable stem.

ln testimony whereof. l ath): my signature7 in the presence of two Witnesses.

ROY C. F1 UST.

lVitnesses S. H, VYLUQ, J. A.. HARSH. 

